ERC Expert View: Armstrong tipped to be a winner in 2025

At the end of a week when a panel of experts have been nominating the best performers in several categories, Armstrong came out on top of a vote to decide the Wild Prediction for 2025, a recognition of a driver’s potential for the upcoming season.  

Although the ERC stage winner and podium finisher has yet to announce his plans for 2025, panellists Graham Lister and Peter MacKay were in agreement of Armstrong’s strong prospects.

“In his first full season in Rally2 machinery, Jon Armstrong applied a measured approach and built speed through each rally,” said Rally.tv live stage-end reporter MacKay. “By the latter point of the season, the Motorsport Ireland Academy driver became a podium contender. On Rali Ceredigion, the EA WRC game designer set a blistering pace and scored a stage win on SS12 in front of a live TV audience on UK broadcaster TNT Sports.   

“The Irish star kicked on from his Welsh charge at the final round in Poland to score his first ERC podium in changeable conditions. In 2025, the ERC will return to five rallies where Jon now has vital experience. Don’t be surprised to see him challenging for victory.”

Lister, who reports on the ERC for British weekly title Motorsport News, said: “After being the standout performer in ERC3 in 2023, Armstrong didn’t disappoint on his step up to the ERC’s top division, particularly in Wales and Poland. It wasn’t an easy season at times – Armstrong was often the sole Fiesta Rally2 entrant which meant there wasn’t much data to utilise – but he didn’t give up, and with the support of his M-Sport team and Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy’s John Coyne, he was able to develop into a top-three contender. He’ll be even better in 2025.”  

While Lister and MacKay opted for Armstrong, Niccolò Budoia, from Italian website Rallyeslalom.com, nominated something closer to home. “My prediction is Lancia will come back to ERC and its drivers will be crowned champions in Junior ERC. Come on, let me dream a little bit!” he said.  

ERC Expert View round-up
Rookie of the Year: Calle Carlberg
Unsung Hero of the Year: Ciprian Lupu
Newcomer of the Year: JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion 
Driver of the Year: Hayden Paddon
Wild Prediction for 2025: Jon Armstrong to win in ERC